BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) — A new unmanned aerial vehicle from Beijing-based technology company PowerVision hopes to shake up the drone market with their eye-catching egg-shaped design.
When stationary, the PowerEgg drone looks a bit like an ostrich egg with no obvious signs of the ability to fly. But when switched on, four rotor blades emerge from the rugby ball-sized device to propel it skywards at a speed of 5 metes-per-second. The makers say it is perfect for capturing professional-grade videos and photographs with its integrated 4k camera, including panoramic 360 degree views on a stabilizing 3-axis gimbal.
“The PowerEgg camera can shoot 4k video and 12-megapixel still images. It also features a 3-axis gimbal so that the image is stabilized. Due to its unique design the legs fold up so there’s no legs hiding the view [to the camera]. The gimbal enables the 360 degree panoramic shooting,” PowerVision Europe’s CEO Huber Hu told Reuters.
Using a smartphone or tablet, users can set the drone to fly on its own with automated flight modes with the camera tracking a set target, such as locking the drone’s cameras to orbit them while filming.
Its sensor-packed body allows it to fly safely indoors, low to the ground and in areas where GPS won’t work. PowerEgg’s visual and ultrasonic sensors continuously scan the ground beneath, helping it to identify its position and avoid obstacles.
In addition to a traditional remote control, the makers are releasing a gesture-based controller called the PowerEgg Maestro. This one-handed remote uses motion sensing to recognize the pilot’s hand gestures to control the drone’s flight.
“It works into a similar way to the Wii games console; you just move your hands and the drone will follow your motion,” said Hu.
It has a flight time of 23 minutes on a single charge and can transmit real-time footage up to a distance of 5 kilometers (approx. 3.1 miles). It’s also pretty speedy and can climb to heights beyond what most authorities permit.
“It can fly about 47 kilometers per hour; that’s rather fast. And it can fly more than 2,000 meters high, though regulations ask users to normally fly below 120 or 115 meters high,” added Hu.
The PowerEgg was previewed at the IFA Electronics show in Berlin. It is available for pre-order with expected shipment due in October.